Sanitary protector.



- P. l. CLUNE.

SANITARY PROTECTOR.

APPLICATTON flLED Nov. 24, 1915.

l 09,264. Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

"i FFQE.

PHILIP J. CLUNE, 0F OTTAWA, ILLINOIS.

SANITARY PROTECTOR.

Speecation of Iletters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

Application led November 24, 1915. Serial No. 63,328.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PHILIP J. CLUNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ot tawa, in the county of La Salle and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sanitary Protectors, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a art of this specification.

y invention relatesto sanitary protectors, and has for one' of its objects the-provision of a protector to be worn by women during the menstrual period or by those suf` fering from diseases or conditions characterized by vulva'r, vaginal, or uterine discharges. Y

Another object of my invention is the pro- Vision of a protector so constructed that the same will conform exactly to the anatomical contour of the female perineal region and automatically adjust itself to conform read ily to the changing outline of the parts occasioned by the movements of the thighs and other parts of the body.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a protector provided ,with

means for securing the same to the sanitary na'pkin or sanitary belt in a manner for keeping the protector suitably stretched for holding the same suitably tight against the parts to be covered, and further providedwith means for holding the sanitary napkin in place in the protector and which also serves to preserve the trough-like shape of the receptacle of the protector.

A still further object of my invention is the-provision of a sanitary protector which is simple in construction, consists-of few parts, is efficient and durable, and which can be manufactured and sold upon the market at a nominal cost.

These and other objects will more fully appear as the nature of the invention is more clearly understood from the following specification, the subject matter of the claims, and the views illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the protector and' a portion of the sanitary napkin, showing the de tail construction thereof and the manner of securing the protector .upon the napkin. Fig. 2 isa top view of the protector and a portion of the sanitary napkin, showing the conformation of the protector, and further detail construction thereof.

Referring to the drawing, l denotes the body or receptacle made of rubber or other water or blood-proof material and so shaped as to accommodate the napkin 2 of cotton, cheesecloth or other material which may be worn during the menstrual yperiod or for vulvar, vaginal or uterine discharges at other times. The body l is attached, seamlessly or otherwise, to the'frame 3 which is made of rubber tubing long enough to embrace the partsvextending from a short distance above the pubes in front, to and including the Vunder surface of the buttocks behind, and which. frame 3 is correctly shaped and strengthened by the insertion of two reinforcing frames formed of pieces of wire or other material. The front reinforc- "ing frame 4 is inserted in that part of the tubing of the rubber frame 3 extending over the pubes and the rear reinforcing frame 5 is inserted in that part of the tubing of the rubber frame 3 approximating the under and part of the dorsal surface of the buttocks. The wires or other material constituting the reinforcing frames 4 and 5 which are inserted in the front and back parts of the tubing of the frame 3 being respectively of such a leiigthand such a shape as to make the frame 3 conform exactly to the outline of the female perineal parts and immediately adjacent region and also to conform readily to the changing outline of the parts through movements ofthe thighs and other parts of the body; this conformation being permitted by the flexibility of the rubber tubing forming the sides of the frame 3 (any material may be substituted for the rubber tubing which will vstrengthen and preserve the shape of the frame.)

The piece of wire of the frame 4 assisting in the formation of the pubic part of the frame is approximately 5 (five) inches in The back partof the frame is convex in shape, so that it measures approximately eight inches across at its' widest pointthese measurements differing slightly to meet the difference in measurement of different women.

At the crown of the convex pubic part and at the crown of the convex buttock part is A attached a fastening 9 of elastic metallic or other material through which is passed or to which is fastened) the stay cloth of the sanitary napkin 2 in order to hold the protector close against the sanitary napkin.

At the crown of the pubic part and at the crown of the buttock part is also attached a fastening 10 of metallic, elastic or other material by which, when attached higher up to the sanitary napkin 2 or sanitary belt, the protector is kept suitably on the stretch and suitably tight against the parts.

To each side of the frame of the receptacle at a point approximately three (3) inches from the crown of pubic part is attached a narrow band l1 of elastic or other flexible material approximately two (2) inches in length which passes immediately across and above the receptacle. This serves to preserve the trough-like shape of the receptacle and also hold in place the sanitary napkin 2 which passes longitudinally in the receptacle and immediately beneath this band, and positioned within the receptacle is the body of absorbent material 12, surrounding the central portion of the napkin 2 and having its forward end portion projectingthrough and beneath the band 11,'

which also serves to prevent the displacement of the forward end portion of the absorbent material 12 in addition to preserving the trough-like shape of the receptacle.

At each outer angle of the posterior part of the frame of the receptacle and at a point corresponding to the nates fold, may be attached a band of small rubber tubing, elastic or other material which is made continuous with the sides of the frame and passing upward, outward, and forward on the crest of the ilium maybe attached tothe sanitary belt. This optional accessory if used would dispense with some of the stiftening of the posterior part of the frame.

The important points of this protector are its shape and the method of preserving this shape from which spring the following results: (l) It cannot easily get out of place. (2) It fits theanatomical contourof the perineal region thighs, pubes and buttocks. (3) It adapts itself readily to changes in contour produced by movements. (et) By its firm attachment in front and behind it always remains open. (5) By the stifl'ening of the front and back parts the shape of these parts is maintained and is made to fit the pubic and buttock surfaces, (6)

Through its intimate cont-act with the perineal parts there can be no leakage. (7 By following the natural nates folds and by the broad, fan-like posterior part it protects against the leakage behind and protects as large an area as requires protection. (8) No part of the clothing of the wearer canl be soiled. (9) By its shape it renders necessary a much smaller napkin of cotton, cheesecloth, or other material than is usually worn and consequently reduces the annoying irritation of moisture and friction.

This protector or appliance differs from others in: (l) The frame, which accurately molds to the shape of the parts, and which, from the nature of, and materials used in, its construction, must always remain open. (2) The much larger area protected without discomfort. (3) In its shape, method of construction and increased scope of usefulness.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a sanitary napkin, of a protector comprising a receptacle formed of fluid proof material, a flexible frame for supporting s'aid receptacle, reinforcing elements withinthe ends of said flexible frame, means upon said frame for supporting said yreceptacle upon said napkin, and means upon said frame for adjustably securing` said frame for adjustably'securing sain receptaele to said napkin, and means upon said frame for preserving the trough-like shape of said receptacle.

3. In a device of the class described, the combinationwith a sanitary napkin, of a protector comprising a receptacle formed of fluid proof material, a liexible frame for supporting said receptacle, reinforcing elements within the ends of said {iexible frame, means upon said frame for supporting said receptacle upon said napkin, means upon said frame for adjustably securing said receptacle to said napkin, an absorbent material within said receptacle and surrounding the portion of said napkin therein, and means upon said flexible frame for preserving the trouglrlike shape of said receptacle and for embracing the forward portions of said absorbent material for preventing the casual displacement thereof.

4. In a dev-ice of the class described, the combination with ajsanitary napkin, of a sorbent material for upon said flexible frame for preservingthe trough-like shape of said receptacle and for embracing the forward portions of said abl5 preventing the casual displacement thereof.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 7th day of October, A. D.

P. J. CLUNE.

`Witnesses:

l/V. A. PIKE,

ELIZABETH HARRINGTON. 

